MYLES POV

The next morning, when I woke up for a morning run at around six, I saw a reflection in the window. I was sure it was Cali because the blinds were shut the moment my eyes fell in that direction.

I spent an average stalking time, hoping to quench my doubts, but she didn't peek anymore. I had to give up.

The street was quiet, yet I still met some fans that needed photos. They weren't much, so they didn't hold me back. I returned to the Donovans around seven-thirty, sweaty and ready for tonight's game.

It was when I got to the front door that I realized I didn't have a key or a phone to call Brayden. I had a smartwatch around my wrist but it wasn't connected to the mobile network. I probably considered taking another round of running because it was too early to knock and wake up everyone.

I had just taken a step down the small stairs when the door opened behind me.

Cali.

"Hey?" She blurted out nervously.

She was still in pajamas but her face and hair looked like an effort had been applied to come off awake.

She had some lipstick on.

"You are awake." I smiled as different possibilities and chances crept into my mind.

What if she still has feelings for me? Why would she care about how she looks at seven-thirty in the morning on a national holiday?

Pride weaseled its way to my head. I was flattered.

"Yes." She replied and embarrassedly hooked the locks of her hair behind her ear when she looked down at the carpet between us.
"Please, come in."

"Thank you."

When we were both inside and I was taking off my shoes, careful not to smear anything on the clean flat floor, Cali started, "Uhmm... I didn't know you were coming."

I stopped and looked over at her. She was standing across the small entryway by a coat and shoe rack.

"From the morning run or?"

"To Texas," She clarified.

"I learned about it just recently."

After I finally took off the shoes, I stepped toward the shoe rack, which meant getting closer to her. While I set the shoes down, I could feel her body calling for mine, as her scent wafted through my nostrils. I also heard the sound of her heart racing and her breath softly shaking with anticipation of me.

I straightened. "Cali..."

She gasped and withdrew.
"Good luck on tonight's game." She squeaked from quite a distance now.

"You are not coming with us?"

"I rather not." she smiled adorably.

How I wish this was the world where I get to hug and breathe into her scent.

"Too bad, you would've brought us some luck."

She smiled again, diverting her eyes to the floor and folding her lips between her teeth.

"I will see you later, Myles." That was all that she said and turned away after minutes had passed by and I couldn't take my eyes off of her.

~

The game was a tough one but Brayden managed to score the last point, gaining us a solid win at the last minute.

It was in Houston, and the drive with Ken was like a short trip. We had stopped at multiple places he wanted to show us-mostly me in particular. I've seen interesting things so far and I had hope for more adventure throughout the one week I will be in Texas.

Weston had brought us some energy drinks to the locker rooms to celebrate when I took an additional can for Brayden and went looking for him around the halls.

"He wants a change." I heard David say to someone and I halted at an angle, so he wouldn't notice me.

"He can't leave the team."

"I am trying but you know Brayden."

"Myles, over here." Someone called then. My heart nearly left my chest. I peeped over to where David and some officials were standing. They didn't hear that.

Okay! That's a small dose of relief.

While I walked toward Ken, my mom, and Brayden, my brain was overrun with confusion about why Brayden would leave the team.

He used to love it there. The team was like a family. Was it me? Was it the whole team because we were behind this season?

"That was a successful game," Mom was saying when I got around them. She placed a hand on my chest and kissed my arm.

"It was. I am proud of them." Said Ken.

All the time my eyes stayed steady on Bray. I tried to find fault or reason for his decision.

"You should. I am glad to see the two boys progressing after what happened last summer."

Okay, now that was unexpected. I should've told her not to bring it up.
Fuck!

They didn't know and now they would.

Great.

"What happened last summer?" Ken was oblivious. There was a line on his forehead when he asked the three of us, including his tensed son.

"You didn't know?" Mom drawled.

My eyes closed briefly, while my lips folded between my teeth.

"Mom," I cautioned.

"I didn't know he didn't know." She immediately defended herself.

"Brayden?" Ken started and Bray immediately cut him off, suggesting, "Dad, we gotta go."

Ken's eyes skeptically shifted between Bray and me.

"You know what? Please come to lunch on Wednesday. You can come earlier. Mary would love to meet you. We can finish this conversation then." He told my mom.

She smiled apologetically, I thought she would decline for my sake but instead, she said, "Thank you. I will get the address from Myles."

With assembled feigned politeness, Bray throws his arms around my shoulders.
"Excuse us please, we will be right back in a minute."

"I will be in the park then," Ken informed us and I kindly nodded before following Brayden into an empty room.

"You told the suited woman?" He blurted as soon as he closed the door.

Wow.

"Do you mean my mom? Who looked after my concussion and broken ribs? Yes, I told her."

"She's not your mother. Myles, stop using people for adva..."

"Advantage?" I interrupted by finishing the word for him. Just today he kept surprising me. "I am sorry Bray, you grew up in this wonderful home with a happy family and you forgot there are actual people out there whose lives weren't as lucky as yours."

"So now you're jealous of my family because you saw the contour scenery?" He challenged dumbly.

I was breathing hard and fast, I just didn't know who he was anymore.

"You are missing the point here." This time I had given up trying. My voice was lowered. "You know, sometime before Cali came, I thought I had a brother. But now I only hear from people about you. About your moving out of Venice. About your plans for the team." I scoffed and shook my head.

There was nothing more to say. I opened the door and stepped out of the room.

"Dude..." He called weakly.

"You should leave without me. I think I will stay the night with the suited woman."